African Violet

African violet is a flowering plant of the genus Saintpaulia in the family Gesneriaceae. The genus is made up of 6 species.The plant is native to highlands of tropical eastern Africa being widely spread in the Nguru Mountains of Tanzania.

It is named so as it greatly resembles true violets (that is Viola, family Violaceae). The genus is named in honor of Baron Walter von Saint Paul-Illaire. In 1892 he featured out African violet in Tanganyika (nowadays it is known as Tanzania) in Africa. Later he sent the plants’ seeds to his father who was German amateur botanist.

The plant may reach up to 6-15 cm and can be 6-30 cm wide. African violets are small and hairy, stem less herbs with long-stalked leaves. The flowers of African violet are five-petal led. Growing in clusters of 3-10 or even more, they are bilaterally symmetrical in violet, white and pink colors.  Their diameter is about 2-3 cm.

The leaves of African violet are oval with the length of 2.5-8.5 cm and 2-10 cm petiole. They are distinguished by a fleshy texture. African violets are well-known as houseplants. They may vary among  'Amazen Grace', 'Blue Border', 'Claret Queen', 'Dupont Blue', 'Ding Dong Trail', 'Glacier', 'Little Jewel', 'Mini Marina', 'Pink Miracle', and 'Porcelain'.

Nowadays some species and subspecies are endangered, and some are threatened. The reason of it is   the clearance of their native cloud forest habitat for agriculture.

Saintpaulia - African Violet

Jjhake, and released under GFDL

Saintpaulia ionantha